Viking onshore wind farm
Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK · 2020–2024 (full operation September 2024) · £580 million
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project faced and cleared legal challenges related to its development, highlighting the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects. - Despite its remote location and challenging conditions, it reached full operational capacity, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale onshore wind in difficult terrains. - The wind farm's connection to the national grid via a subsea cable is a significant engineering feat, enabling power export from a remote island and enhancing grid stability.
Key engineering challenges
Working in challenging weather conditions (frequent heavy rain, strong winds) in the remote Shetland Islands. - Minimizing environmental impacts during construction in a sensitive landscape. - Connecting the remote Shetland Islands to the national grid via a subsea cable (HVDC link).
Project facts
- Client / owner
- SSE Renewables
- Lead contractor
- N/A (multiple contractors)
- Lead designers
- N/A
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 443 MW capacity; 103 Vestas turbines (up to 155m high)
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; environmental
- Standards & frameworks
- N/A
Sources: SSE Renewables: https://www.sserenewables.com/onshore-wind/great-britain/viking/ - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_Wind_Farm - New Civil Engineer: https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/viking-wind-farm-paid-10m-by-government-in-first-month-of-operation-while-discarding-60-of-power-02-09-2024/